Philippines: Makati building in shortlist of international real estate awards

MANILA, Philippines – The Zuellig Building, a newly-constructed 33-storey “green” office building at the heart of Makati City’s central business district has made it to the shortlist of this year’s search for the outstanding real estate projects in the Asia-Pacific region by the Le Marché International des Professionnels de l’immobilier (MIPIM).

MIPIM is dubbed as the “international real estate show for professionals” according to its website (http://www.mipim.com/en/mipim/). MIPIM brings together the influential players from all international property sectors, offering the greatest number of development projects and sources of capital worldwide.

The Zuellig Building shares the spotlight with the Tianjin Global Financial Center in China and Hong Kong’s 50 Connaught Road Central Building in the “Best Office and Business Development” category. The three properties will then compete for the gold, silver and bronze rankings in the category through votes cast by MIPIM Asia delegates during the MIPIM Asia Awards Gala dinner on November 8 in Hong Kong, MIPIM announced in its website.

A jury composed of an international panel of top real estate experts met in Hong Kong last July 27 to screen 117 real estate projects from 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region for this year’s MIPIM Asia Awards. The jury then selected a maximum of three winners for the 11 distinct categories.

The categories are: Best Chinese Futura Project, Best Chinese Futura Mega Project, Best Futura Project, Best Futura Mega Project , Best Innovative Green Building , Best Mixed-Use Development , Best Office and Business Development , Best Residential Development , Best Retail and Leisure Development , Best Retail Expansion and Best Urban Regeneration Project.

The Zuellig Building is located at the intersection of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas and was developed by Bridgebury Realty Corp. and designed by architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP.

“The Zuellig Building’s commitment to environmental responsibility, its distinctive facade, and superior finishes will enable it to become Metro Manila’s premier business location,” MIPIM said in its website.

MIPIM adds that the Zuellig Building is also the “first 21-st century premium grade office building the Philippines” having been earlier awarded a gold pre-certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the U.S. Green Building Council. This makes the Zuellig Building, the first building in the country awarded by the US Green Building Council for being environment-friendly in its construction and particularly for its collection and safe disposal of mercury.

The Zuellig Building boasts of a double-paned, low-emissivity glass system that minimizes solar heat gain while maximizing natural light penetration. The building also boasts of a water conservation system, carbon dioxide sensors and a centralized paper recycling facility that is available to all tenants.